IRVINE, California, September 24, 2018 – McDermott & Bull is pleased to announce the successful appointment of Nicole Suydam as President & CEO with Goodwill Industries of Orange County.
This executive recruiting engagement was conducted by Chris Bull, Managing Partner; Jeff Black, Partner; and Brian Selvey, Senior Recruiting Associate at McDermott & Bull. According to Bull, “Nicole Suydam is the ideal candidate to lead Goodwill of Orange County into its next stage of growth. Her past experience with the organization, coupled with the outstanding results she and her team have realized at Second Harvest Food Bank, puts her in a great position to create quick traction at Goodwill.” Black adds, “When the largest nonprofit (by revenue) in Orange County is adding a new CEO, the outcome is extremely important to the entire community, especially for those who Goodwill serves so well. Nicole Suydam is the perfect leader to take Goodwill into the future. We are so proud to have helped make this possible.”
Since 2012, Suydam has served as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Last year alone, she oversaw the distribution of more than 25 million meals to families and individuals as she guided a vast network of more than 200 community partners who collectively distribute food to those in need and work toward a shared goal of ending hunger in Orange County. Under her leadership, Second Harvest earned Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating in 2018 for the first time, the highest rating for fiscal responsibility and effectiveness. Prior to her tenure at Second Harvest, Suydam served as Vice President of Development at Goodwill of Orange County.
“Having previously worked at Goodwill of Orange County, I have a deep appreciation for and understanding of the critical work the organization is doing to change and enhance the lives of thousands of individuals facing barriers in Orange County,” Suydam said. “I’m thrilled to return to the organization in this capacity with new insight and experience under my belt. I look forward to working with the leadership team and Board of Directors to establish Goodwill’s vision for the future and make a positive impact on our community.”
Suydam was recognized with the 2018 Women of the Year Award by the Orange County Business Journal, and in 2017 was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential” by the Orange County Register. Suydam graduated from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, and today serves as president of its Alumni Association Board and is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
About Goodwill of Orange County
Since 1924, Goodwill of Orange County has been in the business of helping people who face barriers find and keep meaningful employment. Founded on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to achieve the independence in which employment provides, Goodwill is most recognized for being the conduit where donated goods are sold in America’s favorite thrift stores. This generates revenue for the services provided to those facing employment challenges. Goodwill of Orange County, which marked its 94th year of service in 2018, has supported hundreds of thousands of Orange County residents by creating and providing quality training and employment services to empower its program participants.
About McDermott & Bull
McDermott & Bull is an executive search firm that partners with leading companies to identify and recruit leaders for permanent and interim roles. All of the practice leaders within the firm’s retained Executive Search business have deep executive experience and are uniquely positioned to address the dynamic leadership demands of public and private companies across nearly every industry. McDermott & Bull’s Interim Leaders team is equipped to service the needs of its clients by placing senior-level executives into temporary roles during critical periods. The firm’s Executive Network program provides valuable resources for and offers opportunities to build meaningful relationships with thousands of C-Suite and VP-level executives throughout the country. The formation of McDermott & Bull Europe gives the firm access to international insights and expertise and makes McDermott & Bull a true global player.